Gaming chip and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A gaming chip in which it is not easy to remove an RFID tag and difficult to damage the RFID tag through use is provided. A gaming chip that incorporates a sticker-type RFID tag including an enclosing member having a predetermined shape for enclosing the RFID tag; a body member that is injection-molded to encapsulate the enclosing member with the RFID tag; and a gaming chip for amusement. The enclosing member consists of a first part and a second part, and at least the first part or the second part has a flat surface to which a sticker-type RFID tag can adhere, and the first part and the second part are combined to form an enclosing member, in which the sticker-type RFID tag is covered by the first part and the second part.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Patent Application No.2020-74504, filed in Japan on Apr. 20, 2020, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a gaming chip with a built-in RFID tagand a manufacturing method thereof.

BACKGROUND

In the past, it has been known that gaming chips have built-in RFID tagsas security parts. The RFID tag stores security information such asinformation for authenticity determination and identificationinformation, and the database stores various information related to thegaming chips associated with this security information. If the RFID tagis removed from the gaming chip with a fraudulent purpose, it can bedeciphered and duplicated, adversely affecting security.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional gaming chip. Inthe example of FIG. 10 , an indentation 101 is formed in the center ofthe gaming chip 100, and a decal member 103 is attached to theindentation. A sticker-type RFID tag 104, which is a security part, isaffixed to the back of the decal 103 (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,875). Inthe conventional gaming chip 100, this configuration allows the securitypart to be built into the gaming chip.

There are also known a gaming chip that incorporate a coil-type RFID tagas a security part. In the case of a coil-type RFID tag, by molding abody member made of resin, for example, so as to enclose the RFID tag, agaming chip with a built-in the RFID tag.

However, in the conventional gaming chip that incorporates asticker-type RFID tag, the RFID tag can be removed by peeling off thedecal member. Therefore, it is easy to take out the RFID tag in anon-destructive state, and the risk of counterfeiting is relativelyhigh. In addition, in the case of a conventional gaming chip with abuilt-in sticker-type RFID tag, since the RFID tag is located close tothe surface of the gaming chip, there is a relatively high risk that theRFID tag will be damaged in the process of use by external force throughthe decal member.

In addition, in the conventional gaming chip with a built-insticker-type RFID tag, since the RFID tag is located close to thesurface of the gaming chip, when multiple gaming chips are stacked andmultiple RFID tags are read simultaneously, the distance between themultiple RFID tags becomes uneven and the reading of the RFID tagsbecomes unstable.

On the other hand, coil-type RFID tags can be incorporated in the centerof the thickness direction of the gaming chip, so reading when themultiple gaming chips are stacked is relatively stable. Also, since RFIDtags can be covered with molding resin, the risk of counterfeiting byremoving RFID tags and the risk of damage to RFID tags by use arerelatively small. However, in the gaming chips that incorporate acoil-type RFID tag, since the RFID tag is directly covered with moldingresin, there is a risk that the RFID tag may be damaged during themanufacturing process of gaming chips with built-in coil-type RFID tags.

The present disclosure solves at least some of the above problems.

SUMMARY

A gaming chip of one aspect of the present disclosure is a gaming chipthat incorporates a sticker-type RFID tag, the gaming chip comprising:an enclosing member having a predetermined shape that encloses the RFIDtag; a body member that is injection-molded to enclose the enclosingmember enclosing the RFID tag; and a decal member that represents a typeor denomination of the gaming chip, wherein the enclosing memberconsists of a first part and a second part, at least the first part orthe second part has a flat surface to which the sticker-type RFID tagcan be adhered, and the first part and the second part are combined sothat the enclosing member is formed and the sticker-type RFID tag isenclosed by the first part and the second part.

With this structure, the sticker-type RFID tag is built into the gamingchip in the state that it is enclosed in the enclosing member.Therefore, it is not easy to remove the RFID tag, and the RFID tag willnot be damaged by use. Furthermore, since the RFID tag is enclosed inthe enclosing member and the body member is injection-molded around theRFID tag, the possibility of the RFID tag being damaged by manufacturingprocess can be reduced.

The enclosing member may be covered on entire surface by theinjection-molded body member and the decal member. This configurationensures security because the enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag isnot exposed to the surface of the gaming chip.

The enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag may be located in thecentral portion of the gaming chip, and the decal member may be locatedin the peripheral portion in the thickness direction of the gaming chip.With this configuration, the RFID tag can be located inside the decalmember.

The RFID tag may store information about the gaming chip, and may bereadable when a plurality of gaming chips are stacked. Thisconfiguration allows the plurality of RFID tags of the plurality ofgaming chips stacked on the game table or chip tray to be readsimultaneously.

The RFID tag may be enclosed within plus or minus 25% of the thicknessof the gaming chip from the center of the thickness direction of thegaming chip. This configuration reduces the variation in the distancebetween a plurality of adjacent RFID tags even when a plurality ofgaming chips are stacked, thereby stabilizing the reading of the RFIDtags.

The first part and the second part may be combined to form a sealedspace for enclosing the RFID tag. This configuration allows asticker-type RFID tag to be built into the gaming chip, sealed in thesealed space formed by the enclosing member.

The sealed space for enclosing the RFID tag may be configured bypress-fitting the first part into the second part. With thisconfiguration, the RFID tag can be easily and reliably enclosed in theenclosing member when manufacturing the gaming chip.

The sealed space for having the RFID tag therein may be configured byengaging the first part and the second part with each other. Thisconfiguration also allows the RFID tag to be easily and reliablyenclosed in the enclosing member when manufacturing gaming chips.

The sealed space for having the RFID tag therein may be configured bygluing the first part and the second part with each other. Thisconfiguration also allows the RFID tag to be easily and reliablyenclosed in the enclosing member when manufacturing gaming chips.

The enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag may be configured bysandwiching the RFID tag between the first part and the second part.With this configuration, the RFID tag can be easily enclosed in theenclosing member when manufacturing gaming chips.

The enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag may be configured bysandwiching the RFID tag between the first part and the second part andgluing the first part and the second part. This configuration allows theRFID tag to be securely enclosed in the enclosing member whenmanufacturing gaming chips.

The first part and the second part may be connected to each other. Thisconfiguration facilitates the operation of enclosing the RFID tag in theenclosing member.

The first part and the second part may be connected in a hinged manner.This configuration facilitates the operation of enclosing the RFID tagin the enclosing member.

The diameter of the RFID tag may be larger than the diameter of thedecal member. With conventional RFID tags affixed to the back of adecal, the RFID tag cannot be larger than the decal, but by adopting aconfiguration in which the body member is injection molded to cover theenclosing member that encloses the RFID tag, the size of the RFID tag isnot limited by the size of the decal, and can be made sufficientlylarge.

The specific gravity of the enclosing member may be greater than that ofthe body member. This configuration allows the gaming chip to be of anyweight.

The specific gravity of the enclosing member may be smaller than that ofthe body member. This configuration allows the gaming chip to be of anyweight.

The enclosing member may be configured to be molded into a predeterminedshape by injection molding. This configuration allows the enclosingmember to be easily manufactured.

A method for manufacturing a gaming chip in one aspect of the presentdisclosure comprises: a first process of adhering a sticker-type RFIDtag to a first part having in advance a flat surface for adhering thesticker-type RFID tag; a second process of covering the first part towhich the RFID tag is adhered with a second part to construct anenclosing member that encloses the RFID tag; and a third process ofconstructing a main body that encloses the enclosing member thatencloses the RFID tag by using the enclosing member as an insert partand performing insert molding.

With this configuration, it is possible to manufacture a gaming chip inwhich a sticker-type RFID tag is built in a state that the sticker-typeRFID tag is enclosed in the enclosing member.

A gaming chip in one aspect of the present disclosure is a gaming chipthat incorporates an RFID tag, the gaming chips comprising: an enclosingmember having a predetermined shape that encloses the RFID tag; a bodymember that is injection-molded to enclose the enclosing memberenclosing the RFID tag; and a decal member representing a type ordenomination of the gaming chip, wherein a first part and a second partare combined to form the enclosing member, the RFID tag is covered bythe first part and the second part, and the enclosing member is coveredby the body member and the decal member around the enclosing member.

With this structure, the RFID tag is built into the gaming chip in thestate that it is enclosed in the enclosing member. Therefore, it is noteasy to remove the RFID tag, and the RFID tag will not be damaged by useof the gaming chip. In addition, since the RFID tag is enclosed in theenclosing member and the body member is injection-molded around theenclosing member, the possibility of the RFID tag being damaged by thismanufacturing process can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a gaming chip according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a gaming chip according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a gaming chip accordingto the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the gaming chipaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A shows a stack of conventional gaming chips with the RFID tagbiased to one side in the thickness direction of the gaming chip.

FIG. 5B shows a stack of gaming chips according to the first embodimentof the present disclosure, in which the RFID tags are positioned in thecenter in the thickness direction of the gaming chips.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the enclosing member according to thesecond embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the enclosing member according to thethird embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a gaming chip according to thefourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a gaming chip accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of configuration of aconventional gaming chip.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of an enclosing memberand an RFID tag of a gaming chip according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of an RFID tag according to the fifthembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the enclosing memberand the RFID tag of the gaming chip according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a gaming chip according to thefifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of the gaming chip according tothe present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following,a disc-shaped gaming chip is described as a gaming chip for playinggames according to embodiments of the present disclosure, but thepresent disclosure is not limited by the following embodiments. Forexample, the shape of the gaming chip may be a rectangular plate or anyother shape. Also, the gaming chip may be a plaque. The components inthe following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed bythose skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a gaming chip according to the first embodimentof the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1 , the gaming chip 10 has adisc shape as a whole. The two planes of the disc shape are hereinafterreferred to as the plane surface. The gaming chip 10 has a body memberhaving an outer surface that is at least a part of the gaming chip 10,and a decal member 13 located in the center of both plane surfaces ofthe gaming chip 10. On the plane surface of the gaming chip 10, the bodymember 11 appears in a donut shape, with the decal member 13 locatedinside it and the body member 11 located around the decal member 13.

The side surface of the gaming chip 10 consists of the body member 11.The side surface is color-coded in three layers in the thicknessdirection. The two surface (outer) layers are the same color, and themiddle layer is a different color from the two surface layers. As aresult, the gaming chip 10 has a striped pattern on its sides whosecolor changes in the thickness direction.

In addition, the gaming chip 10 has patterns each of those runs from theedge of one plane surface of the body member 11, through the sidesurface, to the edge of the other plane surface at predetermined angularintervals. As a result, a stripe pattern of varying color in thecircumferential direction is formed on the side surface, and a stripepattern of varying color in the circumferential direction is also formedon the edge of the surface at predetermined intervals. Theabove-mentioned patterns on the circumferential edges of the planesurface and the side surface of the body member 11 and the colorscomprising them represent at least one of the types and denominations(values) of the gaming chips 10.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the gaming chip according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 shows an explodedcross-sectional view of the gaming chip according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , thegaming chip 10 comprises a body member 11, an enclosing member 12, adecal member 13, and an RFID tag 14.

The RFID tag 14 is enclosed in the enclosing member 12. The body member11 is formed so as to cover the edges of both surfaces of the enclosingmember 12 all around. The decal member 13 is placed on the step betweenthe body member 11 and the enclosing member 12. As a result, on theplane surface, the body member 11 and the decal member 13 aresubstantially in the same plane.

The enclosing member 12 consists of a first part 121 and a second part122. The first part 121 and the second part 122 are formed by injectionmolding of resin, respectively. The first part 121 has a circumferentialwall 121 a at the peripheral edge of the disc shape and is roughlytray-shaped. The inner bottom 121 b of the peripheral wall 121 a is flatso that the sticker-type RFID tag 14 can adhere to it. The second partis in the shape of a disk and has a flange 122 a at the peripheral edge.

The specific gravity of the enclosing member 12 can be greater orsmaller than that of the body member 11. Setting the specific gravity ofthe enclosing member 12 appropriately determines the weight of thegaming chip 10. In other words, once the size (diameter and thickness)of the gaming chip 10 is determined and the material of the body member11 is determined, the specific gravity of the enclosing member 12 isdetermined to obtain the weight required for the gaming chip 10.Alternatively, after the size of the gaming chip 10 is determined andthe material of the encasing member 12 is determined, the specificgravity of the body member 11 may be determined to obtain the weightrequired for the gaming chip 10. The specific gravity of the enclosingmember 12 and the body member 11 is adjusted by mixing metal powder withthose materials.

The RFID tag 14 is a sticker-type RFID tag and is affixed to the flatinner bottom 121 b of the first part 121. The first part 121 and thesecond part 122 are assembled with each other by the second part 122being press-fitted into the peripheral wall 121 a of the first part 121and the flange 122 a of the second part 122 contacting the upper part ofthe peripheral wall 121 a of the first part 121. At this time, a sealedspace 12 a is formed between the first part 121 and the second part 122to enclose the RFID tag 14. The contact portions of the first part 121and the second part 122 are glued together with an adhesive.

The RFID tag 14 is a passive type RFID tag and is excited byelectromagnetic waves emitted from an RFID reader to obtain electricpower. The RFID reader reads information stored in the RFID tag 14 byelectromagnetic waves. The RFID reader can simultaneously read multipleRFID tags 14 embedded in each of multiple stacked gaming chips 10.

The RFID tag 14 stores information about the gaming chip 10. Thisinformation at least includes any of identification information (ID)that uniquely identifies the gaming chip 10, the type of gaming chip 10,and the denomination of the gaming chip 10. The information may furtherinclude information on history of location or owner.

As described above, the enclosing member 12 is a capsule having a hollowdisc shape and enclosing an RFID tag 14 in a sealed space 122 a. TheRFID tag 14 is sandwiched between the first part 121 and the second part122, and is covered by the first part 121 and the second part 122. TheRFID tag 14 adheres to the flat inner bottom 121 b of the first part121.

The body member 11 is formed by injection molding so as to cover theside surface and edge parts of the plane surfaces of the enclosingmember 12 that contains the RFID tag 14 all around. As a result, thebody member 11 is formed into a donut-shaped hollow circle, and theenclosing member 12 is enclosed inside it. In other words, the bodymember 11 is injection molded to enclose the enclosing member 12.

When the body member 11 is formed around the enclosing member 12, aportion of the enclosing member 12 except for the peripheral edge of theenclosing member 12 is exposed inside the surface of the body member 11.A step is formed between the exposed portion 12 b of the enclosingmember 12 and the circularly shaped surface of the body member 11, andthis step forms a circular indentation 12 c.

The decal member 13 has roughly the same shape as the indentation 12 b,is placed in the indentation 12 c, and is affixed to the exposed portion12 b. As a result, the surface of the decal member 13 and the surface ofthe circular shape of the body member 11 are substantially at the sameheight.

On the surface of the decal member 13, at least one of the type anddenomination of the gaming chip 10 is represented. The back of the decalmember 13 is coated with an adhesive, which attaches the decal member 13to the exposed portion 12 b of the enclosing member 12.

As described above, the entire surface of the enclosing member 12 iscovered by the body member 11 and the decal member 13, so that theenclosing member 12 is not even partially exposed in the gaming chip 10.Therefore, it is unlikely that the enclosing member 12 will be damagedin the process of use of the gaming chip 10.

The RFID tag 14 is coated with an adhesive on its back side and isattached to the inner bottom 121 b of the first part 121 of theenclosing member 12 by this adhesive. The height of the enclosed spaceformed inside the enclosing member 12 is higher than the thickness ofthe RFID tag 14. Therefore, when the RFID tag 14 is affixed to the innerbottom 121 b of the first part 121, the RFID tag 14 does not contact theinner surface of the second part 122.

On the other hand, the height of the sealed space formed inside theenclosing member 12 is slightly higher than the RFID tag 14. Therefore,if an attempt is made to illegally remove the enclosing member 12 fromthe body member 11, or if an attempt is made to destroy the enclosingmember 12 to remove the RFID tag 14, the RFID tag 14 is likely to bedamaged. Thus, it is difficult to remove the RFID tag 14 withoutdamaging it in the present embodiment of gaming chip 10.

As described above, in the gaming chip 10 in the present embodiment, theenclosing member 12 that encloses the RFID tag 14 is located in thecenter of the thickness direction of the gaming chip 10, and the decalmember 13 is located at the periphery of the thickness direction of thegaming chip 10. Therefore, the RFID tag 14 is located at the center ofthe gaming chip 10 in the thickness direction. Specifically, the RFIDtag 14 is located within plus or minus 25% of the center of thethickness direction of the gaming chip 10. Therefore, even if aplurality of gaming chips 10 are stacked on top of each other in anydirection, there is no or little variation in the distance betweenadjacent RFID tags 14, and reading by an RFID reader usingelectromagnetic waves is stable.

In addition, in the gaming chip 10 in the present embodiment, the sizeof the RFID tag 14 is not limited by the size of the decal member 13,and the RFID tag 14 can be of a size necessary for reading by an RFIDreader. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the RFID tab 14 islarger than the diameter of the decal member 13, as shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of a gaming chipaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In themanufacturing method of the gaming chip 10, first, a first part 121 anda second part 122 comprising the enclosing member 12 are prepared. Then,a sticker-type RFID tag 14 is affixed to the center of the flat innerbottom 121 b of the first part 121 (Step S41).

Next, the second part 122 is press-fitted into the first part 121 towhich the RFID tag 14 is affixed on the inner bottom 121 b, so that thefirst part 121 and the second part 122 are closed with the RFID tag 14contained in a sealed space inside (Step S42). The contact portions ofthe first part 121 and the second part 122 are glued together with anadhesive.

Next, the enclosing member 12 containing the RFID tag 14 is held in themold as an insert member to constitute the body member 11 by insertinjection molding (Step S43). Next, the gaming chip 10 is completed byaffixing a decal member 13 to each of the two exposed surfaces 12 b ofthe enclosing member 12 in the structure in which the enclosing member12 and the body member 11 are integrated (Step S44).

As described above, in the manufacturing method of the gaming chip 10 inthe present embodiment, the first part 121 and the second part 122constituting the enclosing member 12 are each formed in advance so as toform a sealed space for enclosing the RFID tag 14 by being combined.Therefore, the first part 121 and the second part 122 do not deformsignificantly between the stage of enclosing the RFID tag 14 and thestage when the gaming chip 10 is completed, and the RFID tag 14 isprotected by the enclosing member 12 during the manufacturing process ofthe gaming chip 10 to prevent a large external force from being appliedto the RFID tag 14. The RFID tag 14 is protected by the enclosing member12 during the manufacturing process of the gaming chip 10. Therefore,the possibility of damage to the RFID tag 14 during the manufacturingprocess can be reduced.

As described above, in the gaming chip 10, the RFID tag 14 is located atapproximately the center of the thickness direction of the gaming chip10. Therefore, when the gaming chip 10 is placed with any side up, thedistance from the bottom and top surfaces to the RFID tag 14 is almostuniform.

FIG. 5A shows a stack of conventional gaming chips in which the RFID tagis disposed unevenly in one direction of the thickness of the gamingchip, and FIG. 5B shows a stack of gaming chips in the presentembodiment in which the RFID tag is disposed in the center of thethickness of the gaming chip. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the gaming chips 100and 10 are shown schematically, and the dimensional ratio of the gamingchips is shown differently from the above figures for the convenience ofexplaining the effect of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in a conventional gaming chip 100, the RFID tags104 are disposed unevenly on one surface, so that when a plurality ofgaming chips 100 are stacked in any direction, the distance betweenadjacent RFID tags 104 becomes uneven. When multiple RFID tags 104 ofmultiple gaming chips 100 stacked in such a way are read at the sametime in a batch, it has been experimentally found that the reading isnot stable.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the present embodiment ofgaming chip 10, the RFID tag 14 is located in the center of thethickness direction of the gaming chip 10, so that even when multiplegaming chips 10 are stacked in any orientation, the distance betweenadjacent gaming chips 10 is uniform. When multiple RFID tags 14 of aplurality of gaming chips 10 stacked in this way are read simultaneouslyin a batch, it has been experimentally found that the reading can beperformed more stably than in the case of FIG. 5A.

To achieve this effect, the RFID tag 14 is placed within plus or minus25% from the center of the thickness direction of the gaming chip 10 asdescribed above, and it is more desirable if the RFID tag 14 is placedwithin plus or minus 10% from the center of the thickness direction ofthe gaming chip 10. It is more desirable if the RFID tag 14 is locatedwithin plus or minus 5% from the center of the thickness direction ofthe gaming chip 10.

In the above embodiment, the first part 121 and the second part 122 arefixed to each other by the second part 122 being press-fitted into thefirst part 121, but in addition to or instead of this, the first part121 and the second part 122 may be fixed to each other by being engagedby one or more engagement claws. In this case, the one or moreengagement claws are formed on one of the first part 121 and the secondpart 122, and one or more engagement recesses each of that engages theengagement claws are formed on the other.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an enclosing member of the secondembodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6 , thefirst part 121 and the second part 122 comprising the enclosing member12 are connected by a connecting piece 123. The connecting piece 123 isflexible, and the angle between the first part 121 and the second part122 can be arbitrarily changed before the first part 121 and the secondpart 122 are combined. This configuration also allows the RFID tag 14 tobe accommodated in a sealed space by placing the RFID tag 14 between thefirst part 121 and the second part 122 and fixing the first part 121 andthe second part 122 to each other by press fitting or engaging.

The first part 121 and the second part 122 may be connected to eachother in a hinged manner. In this case, too, the first part 121 and thesecond part 122 can be assembled to each other with the RFID tag 14contained in the sealed space by press-fitting or engaging the firstpart 121 and the second part 122 by placing the RFID tag 14 between themwith the first part 121 and the second part 122 connected.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of an enclosing member of the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 7 , theenclosing member 12′ consists of a bag-shaped film. That is, thesheet-like first part 121′ and the sheet-like second part 122′ arepartially bonded and partially open. By inserting the RFID tag 14between the first part 121′ and the second part 122′ from the open side,the RFID tag 14 can be sandwiched between the first part 121′ and thesecond part 122′. In this example, too, a sealed space is formed betweenthe first part 121′ and the second part 122′ to accommodate the RFID tag14, and the RFID tag 14 is protected.

The sheet-like first part 121′ and the sheet-like second part 122′ maybe glued to each other with the RFID tag 14 sandwiched in between.According to this, the RFID tag 14 cannot be removed from the enclosingmember 12′. The sheet-like first part 121′ and the sheet-like secondpart 122′ may not be connected to each other. In this case also, thefirst part 121′ and the second part 122′ may be glued together with theRFID tag 14 sandwiched between the first part 121′ and the second part122′.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a gaming chip according to thefourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is an explodedcross-sectional view of the gaming chip according to the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure. The same sign is used for the sameconfiguration as in the first embodiment, and the explanation isomitted. In the gaming chip 10′ of the present embodiment, the enclosingmember 12″ is thinner than the enclosing member 12 of the firstembodiment. The body member 11 is injection-molded so as to cover theentire surface of the enclosing member 12″, not just the edges.

Specifically, the body member 11 is formed by insert molding theenclosing member 12″, which contains the RFID tag 14, as an insertmember. At this time, the enclosing member 12″ is supported by thesupport member in the mold. This hole is covered by the decal member 13and is not exposed in the completed gaming chip 10′.

According to the gaming chip 10′ of the present embodiment, the RFID tag14 is not exposed even if the decal member 13 is removed, because theentire surface of the enclosing member 12′ is covered by the body member11′.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an enclosing member and an RFID tag of agaming chip according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.The enclosing member 120 comprises a first part 1201 and a second part1202 glued together. The first part 1201 and the second part 1202 are ofthe same shape, and a bank 1203 is formed at the edge of the disc shape,and a convex portion 1204 on the disc shape is formed in the center ofthe disc shape. The height of the bank 1203 at the periphery and theheight of the convex part 1204 at the center are the same, and the uppersurface of each is flat.

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of an RFID tag of the fifth embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The RFID tag 14 is of the sticker-type and consistsof a circular sheet-shaped film. An adhesive is provided on one side ofthe film. A circuit 141 is provided at the periphery of the film. Anantenna 142 extends from one side of the circuit 141. The antenna 142extends in a spiral shape along the edge of the film and is connected tothe circuit 141. Thus, in the RFID tag 14 of the present embodiment, theantenna 142 is arranged along the periphery, avoiding the center andalong the periphery. This makes it possible to receive radio waves overa wider area.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the RFID tag 14 is roughly centered with the firstpart 1201 or the second part 1202, and is glued and fixed to the convexpart 1204 of the first part 1201 or the second part 1202 (on which theadhesive surface of the RFID tag 14 faces). At this time, the antenna142 will be placed avoiding the convex part 1204.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of an enclosing memberand an RFID tag of a gaming chip according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present disclosure. As described above, first, the adhesive side ofthe RFID tag 14 is bonded to the convex part 1204 of either the firstpart 1201 or the second part 1202, with the centers aligned. Then, thebanks 1203 and the convex parts 1204 of the first part 1201 and thesecond part 1202, respectively, are glued to each other with adhesive.As shown in FIG. 13 , since the diameter of the RFID tag 14 is slightlysmaller than the inside of the banks 1203 of the first part 1201 and thesecond part 1202 constituting the enclosing member 120, the RFID tag 14does not interfere with the banks 1203 of the first part 1201 and thebanks 1203 of the second part 1202 even when they are glued together.

In this way, the enclosing member 12 with the RFID tag 14 can becompleted, and the circuit and antenna of the RFID tag 14 are notcompressed by the first part 1201 and the second part 1202 of theenclosing member 12, and the RFID tag 14 is fixed in the enclosingmember 120. The first part 1201 and the second part 1202 are aligned andglued together at the bank 1203 and the convex part 1204 to complete thedisc-shaped enclosing member 12.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a gaming chip in accordance witha fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. A body member 11 isprovided so as to enclose an enclosing member 12 of a disk shape havingan RFID tag 14 enclosed therein. The body member 11 is provided so as tocover the entire circumference of the enclosing member 12 from the sideof the enclosing member 12 to the peripheral edges of both planar parts.In the center of the donut-shaped body member 11 holding the enclosingmember 12 at the inner edge, the center portion of both planes of theenclosing member 12 is exposed. Just to cover this exposed portion, adecal member 13 is affixed to the enclosing member 12.

As a result, the periphery and sides of the planes of the enclosingmember 12 containing the RFID tag 14 are covered by the body member 11,and the remaining portion, i.e., the center portion of both planes, iscovered by the decal member 13, so that the RFID tag 12 is built intothe gaming chip without any exposed portion. In this way, the peripheryand sides of the planes are all covered by the body member 11, so thateven when a shock is applied to the gaming chip (for example, when thegaming chip 10 is dropped), the enclosing member 12, and thus the RFIDtag 14, is protected from the shock.

The enclosing member 12 and the body member 11 may be made of differentmaterials. The surface of the enclosing member 12 may be marked withinformation to identify the RFID tag 14 by laser engraving or printingwith ink. This allows the RFID tag 14 to be identified by directing thenotation to the RFID tag 14, even when the RFID tag 14 has failed andcannot be read.

In the above embodiment, the RFID tag 14 is a sticker-type, but the RFIDtag 14 is not limited thereto; for example, it may be a sheet type thatdoes not have an adhesive surface. The RFID tag 14 may also be a coiltype. The RFID tag 14 can also be an active type.

In the above embodiment, the gaming chips 10 and 10′ are in the shape ofa disc, but the shape of the gaming chips is not limited thereto, andmay be, for example, in the shape of a rectangular disc.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   10, 10′, 10″ Gaming chip-   11, 11′ Body member-   12, 12′ Enclosing member-   121, 121′ First part-   122, 122′ Second part-   13 Decal member-   14 RFID tag

1. A gaming chip that incorporates a sticker-type RFID tag, comprising:an enclosing member having a predetermined shape that encloses the RFIDtag; a body member that is injection-molded to enclose the enclosingmember enclosing the RFID tag; a body member that is injection-molded toenclose the enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag; and a decal memberthat represents a type or denomination of the gaming chip, wherein: theenclosing member consists of a first part and a second part, at leastthe first part or the second part has a flat surface to which thesticker-type RFID tag can be adhered, and the first part and the secondpart are combined so that the enclosing member is formed and thesticker-type RFID tag is enclosed by the first part and the second part.2. The gaming chip according to claim 1, wherein the enclosing member iscovered on entire surface by the injection-molded body member and thedecal member.
 3. The gaming chip according to claim 1, wherein theenclosing member is covered on entire surface by the injection-moldedbody member.
 4. The gaming chip according to claim 1, wherein: theenclosing member enclosing the RFID tag is located in the centralportion of the gaming chip, and the decal member is located in theperipheral portion in the thickness direction of the gaming chip.
 5. Thegaming chip according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag storesinformation about the gaming chip, and is readable when a plurality ofgaming chips are stacked.
 6. The gaming chip according to claim 1,wherein the RFID tag is enclosed within plus or minus 25% of thethickness of the gaming chip from the center of the thickness directionof the gaming chip.
 7. The gaming chip according to claim 1, wherein thefirst part and the second part are combined to form a sealed space forenclosing the RFID tag.
 8. The gaming chip according to claim 7, whereinthe sealed space for enclosing the RFID tag is configured bypress-fitting the first part into the second part.
 9. The gaming chipaccording to claim 7, wherein the sealed space for having the RFID tagtherein is configured by engaging the first part and the second partwith each other.
 10. The gaming chip according to claim 7, wherein thesealed space for having the RFID tag therein is configured by gluing thefirst part and the second part with each other.
 11. The gaming chipaccording to claim 1, wherein the enclosing member enclosing the RFIDtag is configured by sandwiching the RFID tag between the first part andthe second part.
 12. The gaming chip according to claim 11, wherein theenclosing member enclosing the RFID tag is configured by sandwiching theRFID tag between the first part and the second part and gluing the firstpart and the second part.
 13. The gaming chip according to claim 1,wherein the first part and the second part are connected to each other.14. The gaming chip according to claim 13, wherein the first part andthe second part are connected in a hinged manner.
 15. The gaming chipaccording to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the RFID tag is largerthan the diameter of the decal member.
 16. The gaming chip according toclaim 1, wherein the specific gravity of the enclosing member is greaterthan that of the body member.
 17. The gaming chip according to claim 1,wherein the specific gravity of the enclosing member is smaller thanthat of the body member.
 18. The gaming chip according to claim 1,wherein the enclosing member is configured to be molded into apredetermined shape by injection molding.
 19. A method for manufacturinga gaming chip comprising: a first process of adhering a sticker-typeRFID tag to a first part having in advance a flat surface for adheringthe sticker-type RFID tag; a second process of covering the first partto which the RFID tag is adhered with a second part to construct anenclosing member that encloses the RFID tag; and a third process ofconstructing a main body that encloses the enclosing member thatencloses the RFID tag by using the enclosing member as an insert partand performing insert molding.
 20. A gaming chip that incorporates anRFID tag, the gaming chips comprising: an enclosing member having apredetermined shape that encloses the RFID tag; a body member that isinjection-molded to enclose the enclosing member enclosing the RFID tag;and a decal member representing a type or denomination of the gamingchip, wherein: a first part and a second part are combined to form theenclosing member, the RFID tag is covered by the first part and thesecond part, and the enclosing member is covered by the body member andthe decal member around the enclosing member.